Knot-tying mechanism



1366- 1934. E. "H. PARKER KNOT-TYING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 VENTR'- Z9 m Edward lipar'ker Filed June 6,

Dec. 25, 1934.

E. H. PARKER KNOT -TYING MECHANI SM Filed June 6, 1931 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 'Egward HParkeI ATTORNEYS Dec. 25, 1934. E, H PARKER 1,985,458

KNOT-TYING MECHANI SM Filed June 6, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Edward H. Par/fer W .m m

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 25, 1934 KNOT-TYING MECHANISM Edward Hall Parker, Somerville, Mass., assignorto Edward A. Taft," trustee, Boston, Mass.

-Application June 6. 1931, SerialNo'. 542,583 g 32 Claims.

. This invention; has particular reference to mechanismfor tying weavers knots. Among the salient? objects of the invention are the provision of relatively simple means for positioning the 5 threads in the mechanism, means for holding the strands. under proper control at all times so that the convolutions of the knot shall be correctly formed,- the attainment of simplicity and compactness in the mechanism, and protection of the mechanism against damage in ordinary handling under actual mill conditions. In theaccompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing-the invention embodied in ahand knotter, the mechanism being in the initial position, and the manner .of holding the implement and introducing the threads thereinto being indicated in dotted lines.

' Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism with the upper portion of the housingand certain other .parts omitted. V 1

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are vertical sectional views taken along thelines 33, 4-4 and 5 5, respectively, ofFig; 2. In Figs. 3 and 4 the parts areshown in the initial position. In Fig. 5'the mechanism is shown in the position occupied when the thumb lever is fully depressed.

Fig; 6 is a horizontal section taken line 6-6 of .Fig. 4. v

Fig. 6 is a detail side view of the friction thread-holding plate 51.

"Figs. '7 and 8 are fragmental views illustrating the construction and operation of the yarnclamping member 13. Fig. 7 shows the clamping along the member 13 in initial-position, while Fig. 8 shows said member in effective position.

Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmentary views showing the construction and operation of the shear which cuts off those portions of the yarn which are destined to. become waste, the shear being shown closed in Fig. Q-and openin Fig. 10. 1

.Figs. 11 and 12 arefragmentary views illustrating- =the construction and operation of the fingenwhich strips the knot ofi the posts 11 and 12 and tightens the knot, said finger being shown in its operative position in Fig. 11 and in its initial positioninFig. 12.- v

r Fig. 12 is adetail view of the lever 87 and the pawl-90.. f I

Fig. 13 isa vertical sectional .view'in the plane of line 13'13 of Fig. 4 to illustrate the driving means for the helical finger 52.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the position occupied by the two yarns just prior 'to the knotting operation.

Figs. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and are perspective views showing successive stages in the operation of tying the knot.

P TENT o F cs" f framework that include sa casing 1 a downward ly extending handle portion 2 to which a strap 3 is attached, anda bracket 4 projectingforwardly from-the casing 1.

The means for supporting the two yarns which are to be tied together andfor. causing them to extend across eachother may be of various forms, that herein shown comprising two parallel upwardly extending plates 5 and 6 secured to the bracket 4. In these plates are cut yarn-receiving and guiding slots 7 and 8, and 9 and 10, respectively. It will. be, noted that the two rearward slots '7 and9 arainclined downwardly and forwardlytoward the forward-slots 8 and 18, re-

spectively. The slot '7 extends. to a point below and slightly forward of the lower endof the slot 8. The slot 10 extends below and slightly to the rear of the lower end of the slot 9. Preparatory to the tying of a knot; the two yarns are placed in the guide slots with their short ends to the rightof the plate 6. The yarn A is inserted in the two rear slots .7 and 9. Simultaneously, the other yarn B is placedin the slots 8 and 10. Due to the relative positions of the lower ends of these several slots, when the two yarns are thus positioned they'cross each other at a point approximately behind a stationary vertical tying post 11 located midway betweenthe guide plates -5 and 6. In this initial position, that portion of the yarn B which extends between the post 11 :Means is provided for clamping the strand B inthe lower end of the S10tj8. The means herein shown for this purpose comprises a lever or finger .13 (Fig. 7-) located between the plate 5 and a friction guide plate 14 attached to the outer side of the plate 5. The strand B lieswithin a slot 15- in the plate 14. The finger 13 is pivoted on a stud 16 and its upper end is arranged to swing across the slots 8 and 15, as shown in Fig. 8, and thus clamp the yarn 13.. On the lowerend of the lever 13 is a stud 17 that lies between two lugs 1 1 18 (Fig. 6) on'a slide 19 (Fig. 6). The slide is revciprocable in a. guideway formed between the bracket 4 and a block 20 fixed to said bracket. 7

Referring now to Fig. 3: The rear end of the slide 19 is connected through the medium of a spring21 to a trip-member 22 which is mounted on a pivot 23'that is carried by the. casing 1. The spring 21 normally holds a lug 24 on the slide 19 against a lug 25 on the trip member 22. The end of'the lug 25 normally liesbetween the lug 24 and a short projection 26 on the slide.

, In the present embodiment of the invention, the means employed to oscillate the trip member .22 comprises a'thumb. lever 27 mounted on the pivot 23-andsdetachably connected tothe trip member by means of a pawl 28, said pawl being pivoted to the thumb lever 27 at 29 and being arranged to engage a projection 30 on the trip member. A compression spring 31 normally holds the pawl in engagement with the projection 30. A torsion spring 32 (Fig. 4) coiled about the pivot 23 bears at one end against a pin 33 on the frame, and at its other end against a pin 34 on the thumb lever 2'7, said spring normally holding the thumb lever in the position shown in Figs. 1 to 4. A similar torsion spring 35 (Fig. 9) coiled around the pivot 23 bears at one end against a pin 36 on the frame and at its other end against a pin 3'7 on the trip member 22. mally holds the trip member in the position shown in Fig. 3. Contact of the portion 38 of the trip member with the portion 39 of the frame limits the action of the spring- 35. It will be seen that when the thumb lever 27 is depressed by the operator, the pawl 28 will cause the trip member 22 to move with the thumb lever until engagement of the lower end 40 (Fig. 3) of the pawl with the cam surface 41 causes the pawl to swing away from the projection 30, whereupon the torsion spring 35 restores the trip member 22 to its normal position.

The downward stroke of the thumb lever and the accompanying movement of the trip member produces a forward movement of the slide 19 (Fig. 3), thus causing the lever 13 to clamp the yarn B. Pressure of the lug 25 against the lug 26 causes forward movement of the slide 19 if there be excessive starting resistance due to friction and to tension of the yarn. However, after positively moving the slide a short distance, the lug 25 swings away from the lug 26, continued forward movement of the slide being dependent on the spring 21. In the return movement of the trip member 22, the lug 25, bearing against the lug 24, restores the slide 19 to its normal position, and moves the clamping lever 13 to its withdrawn position as shown in Fig. '7.

Upon comparing Figs. 14 and 15, it will be seen that in Fig. 15 the yarn A has been looped over the yarn B, and that that portion of the yarn B which extends between the stationary post 12 and the slot 10 has been drawn forward, the extra yarn needed for the loops having been drawn from the slots '7, 9 and 10. The means employed for this purpose comprises two pins 42 and 43. In their initial positions, the pins 42 and 43 are behind the yarns, as shown in Fig. 14. The pin 42 is short enough to pass under the yarn B,

whereas the pin 43 is tall enough to engage both of the yarns. The pins have yarn-receiving notches, as shown in Fig. 17. These pins are fixed to levers 44 and 45, respectively (Fig. 6), which are pivoted on fixed studs 46 that extend downwardly from the block 20. The pins 42 and 43 extend up through clearance slots 4'7 in the block 20. A stud 48 (Fig. 6) fixed to the slide 19 extends into arcuate slots 49 in the levers 44 and 45. Accordingly, as the thumb lever 27 is depressed and the slide 19 advanced, the levers 44 and 45 swing toward each other thus causing the pins 42 and 43 to advance and approach each other, whereby the yarns A and B are drawn into the positions shown in Fig. 16 and clamped against a stationary abutment 50 (Figs. 3 and 14). The slide 19, being yieldingly connected to the trip member 22, stops when the yarns are clamped against the abutment. Undue looseness of the yarns between the abutment 50 and the slots '7, 9 and 10 is prevented by means of the friction plate 14 and a similar plate 51 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) These The spring 35 norplates each have two slots which do not quite register with the lower ends of the slots '7, 8, 9 and 10, respectively, and thus cause bends in the yarns, the resulting friction being ,sufflcient to prevent undue looseness of the strands.

As shown in Fig. 15, the advance of the pins 42 and 43 resulted in the formation of a loop or bight A in the yarn A. In order to loop the yarn B around said bight, as shown in Fig. 17, and draw said yarn B down through the space between said bight and the post 12, I provide a. helical finger 52 having a hook 53 at its forward end. The rear end of the finger 52 is fixed to a tubular screw 54 which is rotatable and axially movable in a bore 55 in the housing 1. A stud 56 projects into said bore and into the helical groove of the screw 54 and thus causes the screw to move axially as it rotates. Rotation is imparted to the screw 54 by means which, in the present instance, comprises a shaft 5'7, the rear end of which is 'journaled in the housing 1 at 58, said shaft lying within the tubular screw 54. The rear portion of the screw 54 is longitudinally slotted to receive the ends of a pin 59 that extends through the shaft 57, said pin and slots forming virtually a splined connection between the screw and the shaft. The latter is driven by means of a gear train consisting of a pinion 60 and three segmental gears 61, 62 and 63 (Fig. 13), the segment pinion 62 being integral with the segment gear '61. The gears 61 and 62 are mounted on a frame stud 64. The gear 61 is supported on a frame stud 65. In order to prevent the pinion 60 from turning too far in either direction, the segment 63 is provided with stop surfaces 66 and 67 to en gage with the ends of the segment 61. On the segment 63 is a roller 68 that lies within a cam groove 69 formed in the rear portion of the trip member 22. It will be seen that as the trip member oscillates the helical finger 52 will be advanced and retracted. The size and lead of the finger 52 are such that as it advances'the hook 53 passes under the yarn B at a point between the posts 11 and. 12, and then encircles the bight A, making in all two revolutions. Just before the finger 52 reaches its extreme forward position, its forward end pushes the yarn B slightly to the right at a point close to the clamping post 43 (see Fig. 16), thus enabling the hook 53 to pass to a point above the yarn B.

In order that there shall be a free end of the yarn B which may be taken by thehook 53 when the finger 52 is withdrawn, and also for the purpose of trimming off the waste end of the yarn A, I provide a shear located just at the right of the clamping member 50. In this embodiment of the invention, the shear comprises a stationary blade '70 (Fig. 10) and a movable blade '71. The stationary blade is secured to' a bracket '72 attached to the block 20. In the shank portion of the blade '71 is a slot '73 through which extends a pivot stud '74, said stud penetrating the blade '70 and engaging the bracket '72. A compression spring '75 (Fig. 2) interposed between the head of the pivot stud and the blade '71 serves to maintain the shear blades in close contact.

To sever the yarns A and B, downward and forward movement is imparted to the blade 71 by means herein shown as comprising a lever '76 pivoted between its ends to the block 20 at 7'7 and pivoted at its upper end to the blade '71 at '78. The lower end of the lever '76 is pivoted at 79 to a one-piece pawl 80 that extends rearwardly into position to overlie and be engaged by a finger c ching the en'd or its forward movement it -pressesas'ide the-*-portion of the yarnB which ex- 81 in the rearward movement oi the-latter, said finger being rigid with the trip member 22. A compression spring '82 holds the'pawl 80 in contact with said finger. When the finger 81 moves forward (i. e., clockwise), rear end slips-under and in front of the tooth of the pawl 80, and when the finger moves rearwardly it draws-the pawl with it until the engagement of the cam surface 83 on the pawl with the upper edge of the finger causes disengagement of the pawl and finger, whereupon a contractile spring 84 (Fig. 5) restores the 'blade 71 to its "normal position. 9 shows the pawl as about'to be disengaged from the finger 81. The yams A and 13 having been severed by the shear 70-71 (as indicated in Fig. 17), the helical finger 52 is retracted, carrying with it the yarnB as shown in Figs. 1'7, 18 and 19, the severed end of the yarn B slipping out irom between the clamping members 43 and 50.

The knot is drawn tight and strip d hem the posts 11 and 1 2, and the yarns pulled away from the clamping posts 42 and 43 and the helical finger 52, by means which, in this embodiment of the invention, comprises a finger 85 (Figs. :11, 12 and 19) which underlies that portion of the yarn B that extends between the slot 8 and the post 11. Said finger is pivoted at 861m the cover block 11. A lever B7 is connected to 'the finger 85 by means of a pivot 38 lyingd'n a slightly elongated opening. The lever 87 is pivoted to the frame at 89'. A pawl 90 is pivoted at 91 to the lower portion of the lever 87. 011 this pawl is a lug 92 which is pressed rearwardly by acompression spring 93 that bears against alug 92 cm the pawl. The lug 92 normally rests against'a-lug 94 (Fig. 13) on the gear segment 61. The normal position of the finger 85 is shown in Figs. 12 and 14. When the thumb lever 27 is depressed, the gear segment 61 swings to the right as viewed in Fig. 13 (thereby carrying the lug 94 up and away from the lug 92), the spring 93 swings the pawl 90 rearwardly to place the lug 92 in the path of the return movement of the lug 94, so that in such return movement the lower end of the lug 94 strikes the lug 92 and swings the lever 8'-l-in'to the position shown in Fig. ill, thereby raising the lever 85 into the position shown 1'1, 19 and 20. As the thumb lever returns to its normal position, a pin .95 on said lever engages 9. lug 96 on the lever 87 and restores the lever 85 to its initial position.

Preparatory to the tying of :a knot, the operator takes the two yarns and draws them across the plates 5 and '6, whereby theyarns are placed in position in the guide slots with their short ends to the right of the guide plate 6, as shown in Fig. 1. In the operation of placing theiyarns in said guide slots, the yarns become disposed as shown in Fig. 14. The thumb lever 27 is then depressed, as a result-of whichthe clamping finger 13 is actuated to clamp the yarn B in the slots 8 and 15, and the pins 42 and 43 move forward, the pin 42 carrying a portion of the yarn A into clamping engagement with the clamping member 50, and the pin 43 carrying portions of the yarns A and B into clamping engagement with said member 50, whereby a night A is formed in the yarn A, as shown lnFig. 15. Soon after the pins 42 and 43 start moving :fiorward, the helical finger 52 also'begins to advance, as indicated in Fig. 15, said finger continuing to advance'rafter the pins 42 and 43' have stopped against the clamping member 50. The hook '53 of the/helical finger 52 follows a helical path around the bight A, as indicated in Fig. 16. As the hook is sup- -tends petween the post 12 and the clamping pin -43 sufiiciently to-permit thelhook53 to pass above after the yarns are thus severed the helical finger 52 is retracted through the action of the spring '35, therebydrawing the tree 'end of-th'e yarn '13 around "the big ht A, as shown in Fig. 17, and

through the, space between-said hight and the loop of yarn B that extends'iaround the post '12 "(see Fig. 1%), thus completing the convolutions of the knot. As the finger 52 completes its return movement, the finger 85 flies up, lifting the yarn B (which is clamped in the slot '8), thereby stripping the convolutions of the knot off the posts 11 and 12 and drawing'the convolutions tight, as shown in Fig. 20. A moment after the finger 85 has performed its function, "the clamping members 13,142 and'43 're'tum to their initial positions, thereby 'relea's'ingthe yams and per- .mitting the operator to withdraw them from the .kno'tter. -When the operator allows the thumb lever?! to return to its upperposit'ion, the finger 85 .is lowered to its normal position 'as illustrated i114.

' .It will be seen that the introduction of the yarns into the knotter is a very simple operation. The yarns are .held under proper control at-all .times during the tying of the knot, and hence the convolutions of the knot are always formed inproper relation to one another, thereby insuringthe correct formation of the knot.

The mechanism is quite compact in comparison with various weaverzs matters of the prior art, well protected against damage due to the rough handling which :a. knotter is apt to receive under :mill conditions."

In the foregoing description and in the claims,

the term yarn has been used in a generic sense 1 to include all analogous materials.

Itwill be understood thatthe invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms of auto- ,matic power-driven machinery as, for example,

. end portions of said .bight, one of, said pins serving to bend the yarn B..-around the second post and .clamp i-t adjacent .to the end portions .of said light; ashear for severing both yarns adjacent to the last-mentioned pin; ahelical finger having a hookatits tip; meansforadvancing and retracting said finger in, a helical ,path which encloses said'bight, said hook being arranged to. engage the yarn 13 adjacent to the last mentioned pin when the fingerreaches its advanced position and to draw the yarn B around said 'bight and into the space between said bight and the second post in the retracting movement of said finger; and a pivoted lever arranged to engage the yarn B at a point between said clamp and the first post to strip theknot' fromusaidipos'ts and tighten the knot.

. means to engage the yarn B adjacent to thelastmentioned pin and draw it around said bight and into the space between said bight and the second post; and means arranged to engage the yarn B at a pointbetwee'n said clamp and the first post to strip the knot from said posts and tighten. the knot. 7

3. A weavers knotter comprising means to support two yarns A and'B in crossed relationpa clamp. to hold the yarn B; a post near the crossing point; a second post near the first post; means for drawing the yarn A into the form of a bight enclosing the'yarn B, forclamping the end portions of said bight,jfor ben'dingthe yarn 13 around the second post, and for clamping the yarn B adjacent to the end portions of. said bight; means for cutting off the waste'ends of both yarns; a

helical finger' having a hook at its tip, means for advancing and retracting said finger in a helical path which encloses said bight, said hookbeing arranged to engage the yarn B when the finger reaches its advanced position and to draw the yarn B around said bight and into the space between, said bight and the second post inthe retracting movement of'said'fing'er, and means arranged to engage the yarn B at a point between said clamp and the first 'post to strip the knot from said posts and tighten the'knot.

"4. A weavers knotter comprising means to support two yarns A and'B-in crossed relation; a clamp to hold the yarn -B'; a post near the crossing point; a second post near the first post; means for drawing the yarn A into the form of a bight enclosing the yarn B for clamping-the end portions of saidbight for bending the yarmB around the second post and for clamping the yarn B adjacent to the end portions of said bight; means for cutting 'ofi the waste ends of both yarns; means to engage the yarn Bfand draw it around said bight andinto the space between'said bight and the second post; andjmeans arranged to engage the yarn B at a point between said clamp and the first post to strip the knot from said posts and tighten the knot.

5. A weavers knotter comprising means to support each of two yarns A and B at two separated points; a post locatedaboutmidway between said points; a second post near the first post; means for drawing the yarn A into the form of a bight enclosing the yarn B, for. clamping the end portions of said bight, for bending the yarn B around the second post and for clamping the yarnB adjacent to the end portions of said bight; means points; asecond post near the first post; means e for drawing the yar'nA into theform of a bight enclosing the yarn B, for clamping the end portions of said bight, for bending the yarn B around thesecond postand for clamping the yarn B adjacent tothe-end portions of said bight; means .for cutting off the waste ends of both yarns to provide shortened ends, a helical finger having a 7 hook at its tip, means for advancing and retracting saidfinger in a helical path which encloses said bight, said hook being arranged to engage post; means for drawing the yarn A into the form of a bight enclosing theyarn B for clamping the end portions of said bight, for bending the yarn B around the second post and for clamping the yarn B adjacent to the end portions of said bight;

means for cutting off the waste ends of both yarns to provide shortened ends; a hook; means for advancing and retracting said hook in a helical path which encloses said bight, said hook being arranged toen'gage the shortened end of the yarn B upon reaching its advanced position and draw said shortened end around said bight and into the space between said bight and the second post in the retracting movement of said hook, and means to strip the knot from said posts and tighten the knot.

8. A weavers knotter comprising means to support each of two yarns A and B at two separated pointsya' post located about midway between said points; a second post near the first post; means for drawing the yarn A into the form of a bight enclosing the yarn B, for clamping the end portions of said bight, for bending the yarn B around the second post and for clamping the yarn B adjacentto the end portions of said bight; means for cutting off the waste ends of both yarns to provide. shortened ends, means to draw the shortened end of, the yarn B around said bight and into thespace between said bight and the second post; and means to strip the knot from said posts and tighten the knot.

9. A weavers knotter comprising means to support each of two yarns-A and B at two sep arated points; a post located about midway between said points; a second post near the first post, said posts being in front of said yarns; two devices, one at each side of said posts, for drawing theyarn A forward into the form of a bight enclosing the yarn B, for clamping the end portions of said bight, for bending the yarn B around the second post and for clamping the yarn B adjacent to the end portions of said bight; a stationary abutment against which said devices clamp the yarns; means for cutting off the waste ends of both yarns adjacent to said abutment to provide shortened ends; a hook to draw the shortened end of the yarn B around said bight and into'the space between said bight and the second post; and means to strip the knot from said posts I andtighten the knot.

'10. A weavers knotter comprising means to support two yarns A and B in crossed relation; a post near the crossing point; a second shorter postnear the first post', said posts being in front of the yarns: two pins, one at each side of said posts,fordrawing the yarn A forward into the oil the waste ends of the yarns, said bending means placing said yarns within reach of said outting-off means; and means 'for stripping the knot from said knot-forming means and tightening the knot.

- 21. A weavers knotter comprising two substantially parallel spaced plates having slots for supporting yarns A and B, the lower ends of the slots for the yarn A terminating at different heights so as to support the yarn A in inclined position and the lower ends of the slots for the yarn B terminating at different heights so as to support the yarn B in a position inclined opposite to the yarn A; means associated with certain of said slots for causing frictional resistance to movement in said slots; knot-forming means between said plates, said knot-forming'means including a single shear to sever the ends that extend through the slots inone of said plates and means to bring both yarns within reach of said shear; and means for stripping the knot 'from:said' knot-forming means and tightening the knot.

22. A weavers knotter comprising two substan-' tiallyparallel spaced plates having slots 'for supporting yarns A and B, the lower ends of the slots for the yarn A terminating at different heights so as to support the yarn A in inclined position and the lower ends of the slots for the yarn B terminating at diiierent heights so as to support the yarn B in a.positionincline d opposite to'the yarn A; means associated with said slots for .causing frictional resistance to 'movement of said yarns in said slots; knot-forming means between said plates, said knot-forming means including a single shear to sever the ends I that extend through the slots in one of said plates; and means engaging one of said yarns at apoint between the other plate and said knoteforming means for stripping the knot from saidknotforming means and tightening the knot.

23. In a knotter, devices to support two yarns,

with one of the yarns in the form of a bight en-r closing the other yarn, a helical finger having a hook at its tip, and means for advancing and retracting said finger in a helical path that encloses said bight, to draw the last-mentioned yarn around said bight.

24. In a knotter, means to support two yarns, means for drawing one of the yarns into the form of a bight enclosing the other yarn, means for severing the last mentioned yarn, and a reciprocatory helical finger having a hook at its tip'for drawing the shortened end of the last-mentioned yarn around said bight.

25. A knotter comprising means to support two yarns; means for drawing one of the yarns into the form of a bight enclosing the other yarn; a helical finger having a hook at its tip; a tubular screw to which said finger is attached; a shaft extending into said screw and having a splined connection therewith; a gear train for rotating said screw in opposite directions; a pivotedmember having a cam for actuatingsaid gear'rtrain; a spring tending to move said pivoted member in one direction; a lever having a pawl arrangedto engage said pivoted member and cause the latter to move with the lever against the influence of said spring; and means for disengaging the pawl from said member. j

26. Ina knotter, means to support two yarns; means for drawing one of the yarns into the her for actuating said gear tr'ainja spring'tend ing to move said pivoted member in one direction, and means for moving said member in the; opposite direction.

27. A knotter comprising yarn-manipulating means, a'pivoted member for actuating said means, a spring tending to move said pivoted member in one direction, a lever having a' pawl arranged to engage said pivoted member and cause the latter to move 'withthe lever against the influence of said spring, and means for disengaging the pawl from said member." g 28. In a knotter, a rotary knot-forming element, a gear train for rotating said element in opposite directions, said gear train comprising a pinion, a segment gear meshing with said pinion, a segment; pinionrigid with the segment gear, and a second segment gear meshing with said segment pinion; means to limit oscillatory movement of one of said gear elements, and means for oscillating the second-mentioned gear segment, said means including lever-operated means'for moving said gear segment-in one direction, and a spring for moving said gear segment in the opposite direction. Y

29. A knotter comprising means to support two yarns; mechanism to formsaid yarns into a knot; means to cut off the waste portions of the yarn; means to tighten the knot; a pivoted member for actuating said mechanism, said cutting-cit means and said tightening means; a spring for moving said member in one direction; a lever for moving said member in the opposite direction, and means for disengaging said member from said lever to permit the return of the member by the spring.

30. A knotter comprising means to support two yarns; mechanism to form said yarns into a knot; means to cut offthe .waste portions of the yarn; means to tighten the knot; a pivotedmember for actuating said mechanism, said cutting-ofi means and said tightening means; a spring for moving said member in one direction; a lever; a pawl on the lever to engagesaid member when said leveris swung in the opposite direction, and means for disengaging said pawl from said member to permit the return of the latter by the spring.

31. A hand knotter comprising "knot-forming means; a pivoted member for actuating said means; a spring for moving said member in one direction; a digitally-actuated lever formoving said member in the opposite direction; and means for disengaging said member from said lever to permit the return of the member by the spring.

32. Yam-supporting devices for a Weaver's knotter comprising means to support each of two yarns A and B at two separated points; a post located about midway between said points; a second, post near the first post; and means for holding the yarn A in the form of a bight enclosing the yarn B, and for holding the yarn B bent around the second postiwith a portion of the yarn B adjacent to the end portions of said bight. j EDWARD HALL PARKER. 

